Aurora Ivy Lane School is a 'Good' (Ofsted, October 2023) rated innovative provider of specialist education, supporting young people aged 11 - 19 with complex needs including autism, moderate and severe learning disabilities; speech, language, communication and interaction needs and behaviours that can challenge.

Our class sizes are small (up to 8 students), highly supported by some great Teaching Assistants (typically 1:1) and experienced class teachers and complimented by a superb therapy team.

When it comes to looking after our young people, we strive for excellence. With this in mind, we are looking for a Speech and Language Therapist to expand our communication friendly statutes, who shares our vision to develop independence through learning in a school and a community environment that offers warmth, security and consistency. We believe that learning opportunities occur throughout the day in all settings and in a unique way for each young person.

Working collaboratively with the inter-disciplinary team at our school, including Behaviour Therapists, Education Psychology, Occupational Therapy and trained education staff, you will deliver bespoke assessment and intervention packages for our young people with a range of Special Educational Needs.

You will be responsible for holding a speech and language therapy caseload for the school, whilst managing and supervising Therapy Assistants who work with you to carry out all levels of intervention across the school day. You will also contribute to staff training, consultation and reflective practice.

This is both a challenging and highly rewarding role, with a great emphasis on wellbeing, this position would suit an enthusiastic, resilient individual, with a nurturing, holistic approach and the ability to make decisions, as well as manage their own workload.

Role Responsibilities

• To provide effective, person centred speech and language therapy assessment and interaction for children with a range of complex needs
• Select and use appropriate formal and informal assessment practices and analyse, interpret and report findings in order to produce person centred, functional and effective communication plans to support our students and staff in school
• Communicate and effectively report findings and recommendations to education staff, families and others who support the student
• Working collaboratively with internal and external professionals
• Attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings and reviews
• Supervise Therapy Assistants and SaLT students, as appropriate
• Maintain accurate records of involvement with each student in accordance with RCSLT and HCPC best practice guidance
• Participate in regular clinical supervision
• Maintain your own clinical professional development (CPD) and records in accordance with HCPC and RCSLT standards

What we're looking for

Essential Criteria: 

• Registered member of RCSLT and HCPC
• Professional Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent. 
• Experience working with young people who have complex communication including autistic children, those who have Learning Disabilities and behaviours that challenge
• Ability to carry out safe, effective and functional speech and language therapy assessments and interventions, including both individual, group and active support levels
• Strong observation and interpretation skills
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Makaton experience
• Working with and supervision of Therapy Assistants
• Experience with working collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team and contributing towards Education Health Care Plans and targets
• Skills in developing and delivering specific training for education staff for a variety of communication needs

Desirable Criteria: 

• Dysphagia qualified, or a willingness to work towards a Post-Basic Dysphagia qualification
• Knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support

Additional Information

How to Apply:

You can apply by completing our online application form. For more information on this position please contact Kirsty in the Recruitment Team at  

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. 

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.